🧿 Grand Bazaar Istanbul – (Kapalıçarşı) Historic Covered Market

• Grand Bazaar overview
• Location & opening hours
• What you’ll find & what to buy
• How to get there
• Tips for visiting & bargaining
• Nearby places
• Useful links
• FAQ

Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest covered market in Istanbul, and one of the biggest in the world. Its maze of vaulted streets is lined with shops selling everything from handmade carpets and gold jewellery to spices and Turkish delights.

Don’t expect supermarket-style price tags – this is a traditional bazaar where bargaining is part of the experience and exploring the side alleys is half the fun.

• 🧵 Handmade carpets & Turkish textiles
  Kilims, rugs, tablecloths, cushion covers and scarves in many styles and qualities.
• 🥣 Copperware, lamps & İznik ceramics
  Decorative bowls, plates, teapots, trays and colourful mosaic lamps for your home.
• 💍 Gold, silver & jewellery
  Traditional Ottoman designs and modern pieces in gold, silver and precious stones.
• 👜 Leather goods
  Jackets, bags, belts and shoes – always check stitching, leather quality and origin.
• 🍬 Spices, tea, coffee & sweets
  Turkish delights (lokum), baklava, nuts and aromatic teas and coffees, especially near some of the food-focused alleys.

Take your time to compare a few shops before making big purchases, especially for carpets, gold and leather – quality and prices can vary widely.

• 🚊 By tram (T1):
  Take tram T1 and get off at Beyazıt – Kapalıçarşı or Sultanahmet, then walk a few minutes to one of the main gates.
• 🚇 By metro (M2):
  Ride metro M2 to Vezneciler, then walk about 10–12 minutes through the old city streets to reach the bazaar.
• 🚖 By taxi or apps:
  Taxis and apps like BiTaksi (Istanbul taxi app) » and Uber in Turkey » are convenient, but traffic can be heavy near the entrances – especially in the afternoon.

If you’re staying in Sultanahmet, Sirkeci or Beyazıt, walking to Grand Bazaar Istanbul – (Kapalıçarşı) is often easier than driving.

• 💬 Bargaining is expected
  Start lower than the asking price, stay friendly and don’t feel pressured to buy. It’s okay to walk away if the price doesn’t feel right.
• 🧭 Don’t panic if you get lost
  Grand Bazaar is a maze – note your gate name, or take a photo of the map at the entrance so you can find your way back.
• 🕰️ Best time to visit
  Go earlier in the morning to avoid crowds, or closer to closing time when some sellers may be more flexible on prices.
• 🎁 Check quality carefully
  Look at stitching, leather quality, carpet details and origin. Ask clearly about guarantees, returns and certificates (especially for jewellery and carpets).
• 💳 Payment & shipping
  Ask in advance if they accept cards, foreign currency, tax-free and whether they offer international shipping for larger items.

• ⛪ Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
  Around 15–20 minutes walk or tram T1 to Eminönü.
  A colourful market focused on spices, tea, coffee and sweets.
• 🕌 Nuruosmaniye Mosque & Complex
  Right next to one of the Grand Bazaar gates – worth a short visit for its elegant Baroque-Ottoman architecture.
• 🕌 Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque
  Both are within the wider Sultanahmet area, making it easy to combine a half-day of sightseeing with time at the bazaar.

• ℹ️ Info & history:
  grandbazaaristanbul.org »
• ⭐ Visitor reviews:
  Grand Bazaar – Tripadvisor »